Summer plans? Sorted. Free Pilates-inspired classes take over Lake Burley Griffin
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Free Pilates-inspired classes have arrived on the shores of Lake Burley Griffin with the launch of The Summer Series – Canberra’s newest wellness event.
Brought to life by Natasha Vujic, the founder of Dance Sculpt and the 2024 Fitness Champion for the Australian Women’s Small Business Awards, The Summer Series was born from her desire to build a fun and accessible wellness community.
The classes are inspired by Tash’s signature Dance Sculpt classes and run on select Sundays throughout the summer months,. Each class is a fusion of three signature class styles – mat Pilates, dance-inspired movement, and music-driven flow – and promise to be fun, high energy and open to all fitness levels.
“I’ve always tried to create experiences I wish existed, and Canberra doesn’t have many free movement events that feel community-focused, uplifting, and fun,” she says.
“The Summer Series is something I’m running purely through Dance Sculpt. It feels really personal to me. It’s my team and I showing up, creating the music, the energy, the vibe, and holding space for anyone who wants to move with us by the lake.”
Inspired by an outdoor class hosted in 2024 to celebrate a member hitting 1000 classes at Dance Sculpt, The Summer Series is different to other outdoor fitness classes because it’s built around music, movement, and connection.
Designing the workouts to be beat-driven and guided by the music, Tash says that her own wellness journey has also influenced the creation of the event.
“Wellness, for me, is something I’m still figuring out. I’m not perfect, I still have days where I get caught up in how I look or I wish I could switch off that pressure I put on myself. I think a lot of women feel that, even when we know better,” she says.
“Movement has always been the thing that brings me back to myself. It clears my head, helps me breathe, and reminds me that strength isn’t just physical…What I do know is that Dance Sculpt has become the space I always wished I had, somewhere to move, feel supported, and feel good without judgment.”
Each class kicks off at 9 am and runs for an hour, and there’s no required fitness level or experience to take part in a class.
Hoping to grow The Summer Series into a signature Canberra summer event, Tash says that her vision for the future is big but grounded in something real – helping people feel good, supported and connected.
“Canberra has an incredible wellness community, but we don’t always have spaces where everyone can come together in a relaxed, fun, no-pressure way,” she explains. “Most fitness events here are paid or indoors, or they can feel intimidating if you’re new.”
“The Summer Series fills that gap – it gives people a chance to move, meet others, and feel part of something, without needing a membership or any experience. People are craving connection, shared energy, and things that simply feel good. Canberra deserves more of that.”
With one class down and many more planned, Tash says there will be more event announcements coming soon. All you need to do is register your attendance, bring your Pilates mat and make sure you have all your sun safe essentials.
“These mornings already feel special, and we’re only just getting started,” says Tash.
“There’s something powerful about moving outdoors, in the sunshine, with people you’ve never met…by the end of the class, you feel like you’re part of something.”
Keep an eye on @the_summerseries to see when it’s happening next.
